“He was a mentor to me when I started coaching at age 24,” Holland said. “His kids always respected the game and the uniform they wore. I have learned a lot from him and he has done so much for East County baseball and the Grossmont League. He will be missed.”

Vickery’s tenure has been marked by a number of changes in high school baseball — evolution of non-wood bats from infant stage to virtual rocket launchers to today’s toned-down models and changes in the schedule that have made the game a year-round endeavor for most of the best prep players.

“In my opinion play overall is better today,” Vickery said. “Top to bottom, kids are better athletes. Unlike in the past when the same standout athletes were two- or three-sport lettermen, the average kid sat the bench. That doesn’t happen anymore.”

Why?

“There are so many avenues nowadays for a kid to become a better player in a certain sport,” said Vickery, himself a three-sport letterman at El Capitan in the 1970s. “Even at the high school level there are 34-36 spring baseball games, 15 winter and 15 summer league games along with the various travel ball teams.

“All of this gives more kids a chance to play. That’s what we are here for.”